Scottish Budget 2022 to 2023
The Scottish Budget sets out the Scottish Government’s proposed spending and tax plans for 2022 to 2023, as presented to the Scottish Parliament.
Chapter 13 Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
Portfolio Responsibilities
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) is the sole public prosecution authority in Scotland, prosecuting cases independently, fairly and effectively in the public interest. It is also responsible for investigating sudden, unexplained and suspicious deaths and allegations of criminal conduct by police officers.
The Lord Advocate has Ministerial responsibility for the work of the Service. Her position as head of the systems of criminal prosecution and investigation of deaths is enshrined in the Scotland Act 1998 and she exercises that responsibility independently of any other person.
The complexity and profile of casework which the Service deals with has changed significantly in recent years. There continues to be an increase in complex cases which require longer investigations and court hearings. Over the last 18 months there has been a 50 per cent increase in the number of death reports received. The gathering and analysis of evidence is more time-consuming because of the expanded use of social media and electronic communications and the Service increasingly relies on the evidence of expert witnesses to interpret technical, scientific and medical issues.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions, including court closures, has resulted in backlogs of cases across the Criminal Justice System which, even with welcome additional resource, will take multiple years to clear.
Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
| Level 2 | 2020-21 Budget £m |
2021-22 Budget £m |
2022-23 Budget £m |
|---|---|---|---|
| COPFS | 133.8 | 156.7 | 180.9 |
| Total COPFS | 133.8 | 156.7 | 180.9 |
| of which: | |||
| Total Fiscal Resource | 124.9 | 146.8 | 169.8 |
| Non-cash | 4.6 | 5.1 | 5.8 |
| Capital | 4.3 | 4.8 | 5.3 |
| Financial Transactions | – | – | – |
| UK Funded AME | – | – | – |
| Total Limit on Income (accruing resources) | 2.0 |
| Level 3 | 2020-21 Budget £m |
2021-22 Budget £m |
2022-23 Budget £m |
|---|---|---|---|
| Staff Costs | 95.0 | 113.8 | 133.7 |
| Office Costs | 3.8 | 3.8 | 4.0 |
| Case related | 13.3 | 16.7 | 17.8 |
| Centrally Managed Costs | 17.4 | 17.6 | 20.1 |
| Capital Expenditure | 4.3 | 4.8 | 5.3 |
| Total COPFS | 133.8 | 156.7 | 180.9 |
| of which: | |||
| Fiscal Resource | 124.9 | 146.8 | 169.8 |
| Non-cash | 4.6 | 5.1 | 5.8 |
| Capital | 4.3 | 4.8 | 5.3 |
| Financial Transactions | – | – | – |
| UK Funded AME | – | – | – |
Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service contributions to the National Outcomes
Primary National Outcomes
- Communities
- Human Rights
Secondary National Outcomes
- Economy
- Fair Work and Business
- Environment
Contact
Email: ScottishBudget@gov.scot
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